Sunday, January 6, 2013

Sublime offerings ...


 Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
January 6
 
They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering
the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. 
They prostrated themselves and did him homage. ~ Matt 2:10-11
 
 
The Star of Bethlehem (tapestry) ~ Sir Edward Coley Burnes-Jones
 
 
 Let us remain in adoration: and to Him,
who, in order to save us, humbled Himself to such a degree of
poverty as to receive our body, let us offer not only
incense, gold and myrrh, the first as God, the second as king,
and the third as one who sought death for our sake,
but also spiritual gifts more sublime
than those which can be seen with the eyes.”
 
St. Gregory Nazienzen
 
 
 
 
O, come let us adore Him -
Christ the LORD!

In returning to their own land by another way the Magi suggest something of great significance for us.  Our true country is paradise.  Having now come to the knowledge of Jesus, we are forbidden to return to it on the path by which we left it.  For we left our land by the path of pride, of disobedience, by following after wealth, by eating forbidden food.  So we must now return another way: by way of tears, by way of obedience, by contempt of the world, by restraining the desires of the flesh.”

St Gregory the Great

 

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